Lamp socket assembly



' Nov. 7, 1967 D. R. FORD LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY 2 sheets-sheet i FiledJuly 6, 1965 I NVE N TOR- ATTORNEYS Ncov 7, 1967 f D. R. FORD. 3,351,888

LAMP SOCKET AS SEMBLY Filed Jul e, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet? A TTORNE YSUnited States Patent g 3,351,888 LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY Donald R. Ford,Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich, assignor to Boyne Products, Inc., Detroit,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Juiy 6, 1965, Ser. No. 469,454 9Claims. (Cl. 339-93) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A lamp bulb-supportingsocket assembly having a tubular member formed of insulating materialterminating at one end in a flange against which is seated anelectrically conductive mounting bracket which is anchored to the flangeby electrically conductive fingers projecting from a lampbulb-accommodating socket and extending through openings in the flangeexternally of the tubular member. Within the tubular member is anaxially slideable terminal which occupies substantially the entirecross-sectional area of the tubular member and is urged toward thesocket member and against a tilt-responsive switch by a spring.

This invention relates to a socket assembly for a lamp bulb and moreparticularly to a lamp socket construction that is especially adaptedfor use with vehicles and which provides for automatic operation of alamp bulb.

It is customary to equip vehicles with lamp assemblies within the trunkcompartment and under the hood for illuminating the trunk and enginecompartments upon raising of the trunk lid or the hood. Some of theknown lamp assemblies utilize a mercury type switch for controlling theoperation of the lamp in response to raising and lowering of the hood ortrunk lid, whereas others utilize a mechanical switch that is mountedfor engagement and operation by the trunk lid or hood. The mercury typeswitch is preferable inasmuch as it may be incorporated in the socketassembly and thereby minimizes the number of parts and mounting deviceswhich must be used. The known constructions utilizing such switches,however, have other disadvantages, such as the likelihood of beingdamaged by the shock of operation of the trunk lid or hood, thepossibility of being shortcircuited, and the possibility of impropercontact between the electrically conductive parts of the assembly. Inaddition, the electrical parts of conventional socket assembliesutilizing mercury type switches must be so carefully insulated that theassembly of the construction becomes a time-consuming, tion.

An object of this invention is to provide a lamp socket assemblyespecially adapted for use with vehicles and which may utilize a mercuryor similar type automatic switch without being subject to thedisadvantages reintricate, and costly opera .ferred to above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lamp socket assemblywhich is economical to produce and assemble.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lamp socket assemblywhich is so constructed as to promote electrical reliability andminimize the possibility of short-circuiting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lamp socket assemblyhaving self-contained cushioning means for minimizing the shocks towhich the assembly may be subjected.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lamp assembly of thekind described which incorporates fewer parts than have heretofore beennecessary.

ice

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed outspecifically or will become apparent from the following description whenit is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a transverse sectional view of one embodiment of theinvention and taken on the line 11 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatusshown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view, partly broken away, of the assembly shownin FIGURES 1 :and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, but illustrating a modified formof the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view of the assembly shown in FIGURE 4.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the embodiment disclosed inFIGURES 1, 2 and 3 comprises a body 1 formed of electricallynonconductive, inherently resilient material such as polypropylene orthe like, and having a generally cylindrical or tubular portion 2terminating at one end in an end wall 3 that is provided with a centralaperture 4. The other end of the portion 2 is open, but preferablyincludes three or four uniformly spaced, inwardly extending ribs orprojections 5 located at the end of the portion 2.

Adjacent the open end of the portion 2 is a peripheral flange orenlargement 6 that terminates at its outer edge in an annular wall 7that extends in prolongation of the portion 2 to form a well or socket.The flange 6 is pierced by a pair of diametrically opposed slots 8 lyingradially outwardly of the tubular portion 2.

Surrounding the wall 7 is a generally elliptical mounting wall 9 that isjoined to the wall 7 by a flexible web 10 that is substantially V-shapedin cross-section. All of the parts of the body 1 preferably are integraland may be formed by conventional plastic molding processes.

Means is provided for mounting the body 1 on a suitable metallic portionof the hood or trunk lid of a vehicle (not shown) and comprises ametallic, electrically conductive bracket 11 having a pair of spacedapart legs 12 and 13 which straddle the tubular portion 2 and aresecured to the wall 9 by means of rivets 14 or the like. Flanges 15 and16 are joined to the legs 12 and 13 to provide means for attaching thebracket to the trunk lid or hood of the vehicle body.

An electrically conductive member 17 is secured to the bracket 11 by oneof the rivets 14 and comprises a loop 18 of such size as to receive theportion 2 of the body 1. Integrally formed with the loop 18 is alaterally extending arm 19 of such length as to extend to the adjacentbracket leg 12 or 13.

A lamp-accommodating socket member 20 is included in the assembly andcomprises a cylindrical body 21 formed of electrically conductive metaland being open at both ends. The body 21 is provided with a pair ofdiametrically opposed bayonet slots 23 that extend to one end. From theother end of the body 21 extends a pair of diametrically opposed legs 22which may be projected through the slots 8, as is indicated in dottedlines in FIGURE 1, and then turned outwardly so as to be clamped againstthe loop 18 of the conductive member 17. The turning of the free ends ofthe legs 22 not only provides an electrical connection between thecylinder 21 and the V bracket 11, but also securely anchors the cylinder21 to the body 1.

A conventional lamp 24 is adapted for reception in the socket member 20and comprises a glass bulb 25 within which is enclosed a filament (notshown), one end of which is connected to a metal jacket 26 that issecured to the bulb, and the other end of which is connected to aterminal 27 that is insulated from the jacket 26. Opposite sides of thejacket 26 are provided with radially extending projections (not shown)which may be accommodated in the opposed bayonet slots 23 as iscustomary.

An elongated electrical conductor 28 is associated with the socketassembly and has secured to one of its ends an enlarged, metallicterminal 29. To the other end of the conductor 28 is secured a terminal30 wihch may be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy suchas a battery (not shown). Surrounding the conductor 28 is a compressionspring 31, and between the spring and the terminal 29 is a conductive,preferably C-shaped washer 32 having a diametral size correspondingsubstantially to, but slightly less than, the inside diameter of thetubular portion 2. The arrangement is such that at least one of theterminals 29 and 30 is of such size that it may pass through the opening4 in the end wall 3 of the tubular member 2, thereby permitting joiningof the terminals to the conductor 28 prior to the assembly of theconductor with the socket 1. The spring 31 and the washer 32 may beassembled with the conductor 28 as the latter is threaded through thetubular body 2.

The terminal 29 is adapted to engage one end of a conventional mercuryor similar switch 33 of the kind which may make or break a circuit inresponse to being tilted, and the other end of the switch is adapted toengage the terminal 27 of the lamp 24. The diameter of the switch 33should be somewhat less than the inside diameter of the body portion 2so as to enable the switch 33 to be axially slideable therein, but thediameter of the switch 33 should be slightly greater than the clearancebetween the projections 5 so as to have an interference fit therewith.

To assemble the apparatus thus far described, the conductor may bethreaded through the opening 4 in the tubular portion 2, and the spring31 and the washer 32 assembled with the conductor so that the washer 32is interposed between the spring and the terminal 29. The switch 33 thenmay be forced into the tubular portion 20, past the projections 5, as ispermitted by the inherent yieldability of the material from which thebody 1 is formed. The conductor 17 then may be secured to the bracket 11and the latter riveted to the wall 9. The socket member 20 then may beinserted within the wall 7 and the legs 22 turned over to engage theconductive ring 18. The lamp 24 then may be assembled with the socket20.

When the parts are assembled in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, boththe terminal 29 and the washer 32 constantly will be biased toward theswitch 33 by the spring 31, and the switch 33 constantly will be biasedtoward the lamp terminal 27 by the spring. There thus will be positiveengagement of the electrically conductive parts of the apparatus. Insuch an arrangement, and assuming that the switch 33 is tilted to suchposition that it is electrically conductive, energy from the batterywill be delivered via the conductor 28, the terminal 29, the switch 33and the terminal 27 to the bulb filament. From the filament, the circuitis completed to ground via the lamp jacket 26, the socket member 20, theconductor 17 and the bracket 11.

Upon tilting of the switch 33 to another position, the circuit will bebroken. It will be understood that the body 1 and its associated partswill be so mounted on the trunk lid or hood that the switch 33 will bein a position to break the circuit to the bulb when the lid or hood isin its lowered position, and will be tilted to a position to completethe circuit to the bulb upon raising of the lid or hood.

One of the principal advantages of the disclosed construction is thatthere is no possibility of a short circuit developing within the member1 inasmuch as the entire member 1 is formed of electricallynonconductive material. Moreover, the forming of the member 1 entirelyof nonconductive material makes it possible to use a metallic washer 32which increases by several times the electrically conductive area of theterminal 29 and actually becomes part of the terminal. As a result,cocking of the switch or of the terminal 29 will not prevent electricalengagement thereof. Should there be any imperfection in the formation ofeither the switch 33 or the bulb terminal 27, the area of effectiveelectrical conductivity is not limited to the relatively small area ofthe terminal 29, but is increased to the full area of the member 32.

The parts 9 and 10 provide for a cushioned or shock resistant mountingfor the body 1 and the bulb. The thin, flexible web 10 is so formed thata radially compressive force exerted on it results in deflection of thetwo legs of the V, rather than compression of the web. As a consequence,the body 1 may be subjected to rather severe blows without damage.

The construction disclosed in FIGURES 4 and 5 comprises a body member 35formed of material such as that previously described and having atubular body portion 36 similar in all respects to the portion 2 earlierdescribed. Adjacent the open end of the portion 36 is an annular flange37 which is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed slots throughwhich the legs 22 of the socket member 20 may project. A metallicmounting bracket 38 includes a flange 39 which bears against the flange37 and is provided with a pair of slots through which the socket legs 22extend. The legs 22 may be bent over, as is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and5, so as to secure the socket 20 to the body member 35 and to clamp thebracket flange 39 between the cylinder 21 and the flange 37. The bracket39 also includes flanges 40 and 41 for mounting the assembly on aportion of the vehicle body.

The conductor 28, the spring 31, the washer 32 and the switch 33 may beassembled with the lamp 24 and the member 35 in exactly the same manneras has been described in connection with the embodiment disclosed inFIGURES l3. The principal diflerence between the two embodiments is thatthe embodiment disclosed in FIG- URES 4 and 5 does not include theanti-shock or cushioning wall 9 and web 10 of the previously describedembodiment.

The disclosed embodiments are representative of presently preferredforms of the invetion, but are intended to be illustrative rather thandefinitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A socket assembly for a lamp bulb comprising a body member formed ofelectrically insulating material, said body member having a tubularportion terminating adjacent one end thereof in a peripheral flange;electrically conductive terminal means mounted in said tubular portionof said body member for movements toward and away from said oneendthereof; spring means acting on said terminal means and biasing thelatter to move toward said one end; an electrically conductive socketmember adapted to accommodate an electrical lamp bulb; conductive meanssecuring said socket member to said flange; and electrically conductivemeans connected to said socket member by said conductive securing means,said flange comprising radially inner and outer annular wall portionsjoined to one another by a flexible web portion.

2. The assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular portions andsaid web portion are integral.

3. A socket assembly for a lamp bulb comprising a body member formed ofelectrically nonconductive material and having a tubular portionterminating at one end in a peripheral flange having a plurality ofopenings therein external of said portion; electrically conductiveterminal means mounted in said tubular portion and having a dimensioncorresponding substantially to the internal cross-sectional dimension ofsaid portion; an electrically conductive mounting member carried by saidbody member; an electrically conductive socket member carried by saidbody member and adapted to accommodate a lamp bulb therein; andelectrically conductive anchor means carried by said socket member inengagement with said mounting member and extending through said openingsfor electrically interconnecting said socket member and said mountingmember and securing said members to said flange.

4. The assembly set forth in claim 3 including switch means accommodatedin said tubular portion between said terminal means and said socketmember and operable to make and break an electrical circuit between saidterminal means and said mounting member.

5. The assembly set forth in claim 4 including deformable means at saidone end of said tubular portion extending inwardly of the latter forprecluding inadvertent removal of said switch means from said one end ofsaid tubular portion.

6. The assembly set forth in claim 3 including spring means acting onsaid terminal means and biasing the latter toward said one end of saidtubular portion.

7. The assembly set forth in claim 3 wherein said flange comprisesradially inner and outer annular wall portions joined to one another bya flexible web portion.

8. The assembly set forth in claim 7 wherein said annular portions andsaid web portion are integral.

9. The assembly set forth in claim 3 wherein said terminal meansincludes a disc-like member having a slot therein.

References Cited MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. R. E. MOORE,Assistant Examiner.

1. A SOCKET ASSEMBLY FOR A LAMP BULB COMPRISING A BODY MEMBER FORMED OFELECTRICALLY INSULATING MATERIAL, SAID BODY MEMBER HAVING A TUBULARPORTION TERMINATING ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF IN A PERIPHERAL FLANGE;ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE TERMINAL MEANS MOUNTED IN SAID TUBULAR PORTIONOF SAID BODY MEMBER FOR MOVEMENTS TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID ONE ENDTHEREOF; SPRING MEANS ACTING ON SAID TERMINAL MEANS AND BIASING THELATTER TO MOVE TOWARD SAID ONE END; AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE SOCKETMEMBER ADAPTED TO ACCOMMODATE AN ELECTRICAL LAMP BULB; CONDUCTIVE MEANSSECURING SAID SOCKET MEMBER TO SAID FLANGE; AND ELECTRICLALY CONDUCTIVEMEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SOCKET MEMBER BY SAID CONDUCTIVE SECURING MEANS,SAID FLANGE COMPRISING RADIALLY INNER AND OUTER ANNULAR WALL PORTIONSJOINED TO ONE ANOTHER BY A FLEXIBLE WEB PORTION.